Revision Guide
Revision Guide
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Contents
Introduction iv
Answers 114
Index 148
At the end of the First World War the Paris Peace Key point
reparations
USA – Wilson (‘the To create a ‘fair and lasting peace’ in To remove the causes of conflict in Europe to
idealist’) Europe by implementing his Fourteen prevent future wars; increase trade between Europe
Points, which included disarmament for and the USA to prevent the spread of communism;
all European nations, no secret treaties strengthen democracy and self-determination to
and a League of Nations break up empires
Military: The German army was Financial: Reparations for war League of Nations: The League
reduced to 100,000 soldiers; damage to be paid to the Allies, was set up in 1920 to enforce
no conscription; no tanks; agreed in 1921 at £6.6 billion; the Treaty and keep
no air force; only six battleships; the coal in the Saar region went international peace. Germany
the Rhineland was to be to France for 15 years. was not allowed to join
demilitarised and the west bank until 1926.
of the Rhine occupied by an
Allied army for 15 years.
Territory: All of Germany’s colonies were taken away and War guilt: Article 231 said Practice question, Paper 2
controlled by the League of Nations (run by Britain Germany had to take full
and France); Alsace-Lorraine returned to France; Poland responsibility for starting the war. Study Source A.
to be given access to the sea by the creation of a Polish
Corridor; land given to Denmark, Belgium, Lithuania and What is the message
Czechoslovakia; Danzig to become a free city; union of the cartoonist? Explain
between Germany and Austria forbidden (Anschluss).
your answer using source
details and your own
knowledge. [8 marks]
Task
Test yourself
of Wilson’s Fourteen
Points.
“You’ve got to swallow it whether you like The mouselike character being 3 List two aims and
it or not” suggests that … squeezed by the giant hand suggests motives of the Big
that … Three.
4 List what you think
were the three
harshest terms of the
Treaty of Versailles.
The Big Three’s aims for the Treaty terms were too
different to be reconciled
l Clemenceau and Wilson clashed over what to do about the
Rhineland and Germany’s coalfields in the Saar. Wilson gave in,
and in return Clemenceau and Lloyd George conceded over eastern
European self-determination.
l Clemenceau and Lloyd George also disagreed. Clemenceau argued that
Britain was happy to treat Germany fairly in Europe, against France’s
interests, but stricter when it came to Germany’s navy and colonies,
which threatened British power.
l Wilson’s views on self-determination threatened the British Empire,
which ruled millions of people across the world.
l
the Treaty was harsh enough – this led to his defeat in the French
presidential elections in 1920 and his resignation soon afterwards.
Lloyd George
l British imperial interests were helped as a result of the Treaty – its
empire in Africa gained an additional 13 million new subjects. The
reduction of the German navy also secured Britain’s rule of the seas.
l The German economy had not been totally destroyed by the Treaty,
which allowed Britain and Germany to trade again. This would help stop
the spread of communism and promote British businesses.
l But Lloyd George did not like the fact that German-speaking people
were now under the control of countries such as Poland and France – he
thought this would lead to resentment and future conflict.
l He was also under public pressure to punish Germany after Britain had
suffered over 1 million casualties in the First World War, meaning he
would have to balance his desire for a fair treaty with demands at home
for harsher terms.
Wilson
l Wilson had managed to get some of his Fourteen Points into the Treaty
of Versailles, such as the requirement to disarm and the setting up of a
League of Nations.
l He also managed to get concessions from France such as lowering the
reparations figure and only demilitarising the Rhineland. Task
l Wilson achieved self-determination for countries in eastern Europe such
as Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. Write the names of the
Big Three at the top of
l But France and Britain had increased the size of their overseas empires three separate cards.
at the expense of Germany. On one side of each card
l Britain had also increased its control of the seas by reducing Germany’s draw a + sign and on the
navy, which went against Wilson’s principle of free navigation of the seas. other a – sign. On each
card, make a list of the
terms with which each of
Test yourself the Big Three would have
been satisfied (+) and
1 How did France benefit from the terms of the Treaty of Versailles? unsatisfied (–).
2 Why might the French people not have been satisfied with the Treaty?
3 How did Lloyd George manage to increase British international
power? Tip
4 What were Wilson’s most significant achievements in the terms of the Four-mark questions
Treaty of Versailles? don’t require you
to explain, but to
demonstrate your
Practice question, Paper 1 knowledge. Make sure
you give sufficient factual
What aims did Clemenceau achieve in the Treaty of Versailles? details but keep your
[4 marks] answer relatively short.
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The German people resented the terms of the Treaty Key point
of Versailles The Treaty was deeply
l Many Germans hated the war guilt clause and believed other countries unpopular with most
were as much to blame as them for starting the war. Germans and led to
resentment and hatred
l Germans felt the disarmament terms were too harsh. The army had been
towards the new Weimar
a source of German pride and none of the Allies were forced to disarm. Government. This caused
Germany was now left defenceless and surrounded by countries with far instability, political
superior armies to its own. extremism, violence
l Germans were bitter at the reparations and territorial losses: 10 per and huge economic
cent of its land in Europe; all overseas colonies; 12.5 per cent of its problems.
population; 16 per cent of its coalfields. This was a major blow to the
German economy.
l Many Germans, including politicians and soldiers, saw the Treaty as
a dictated peace or ‘diktat’. Germany was not allowed to attend the
peace conference and was forced to accept the terms of the Treaty or
face occupation.
l Many Germans claimed that the reparations bill of £6.6 billion would be
impossible to pay and together with the other harsh economic terms
would lead to instability.
l Germany paid its first instalment of the reparations bill in 1921 but
claimed it could not make the 1922 payment.
l France and Belgium decided to occupy the Ruhr region in January
1923 to take its raw materials and goods as payment. This occupation
was legal under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, so the League
of Nations did nothing to stop the French and Belgian forces. The
occupation of the Ruhr was a disaster for Germany.
Task
Complete a table like the one below to summarise and explain the impact
of the Treaty on Germany up to 1923.
Social
Political
Economic
In Germany, the Treaty was seen as unfair and too harsh Key point
l The German public resented the reparation payments which weakened Many in Germany viewed
the economy when Germany was trying to rebuild its finances and trade the Treaty of Versailles
after the war. The severe military restrictions were unpopular as it left as overly harsh and
Germany defenceless and encircled by powerful foreign armies. The unfair. Germany had not
territorial losses left many Germans living outside of their borders. The been part of the peace
War Guilt Clause led to a prevailing feeling of humiliation. talks and had been
l The terms of the Treaty caused economic problems and political forced to accept the
terms or face occupation.
instability, including nationalist uprisings and violence.
In contrast, many among
l In Britain, some politicians and journalists criticised the harshness of the the victorious powers
Treaty of Versailles and claimed it would lead to a future war with Germany. saw their terms as fair
and much of the public
However, some onlookers thought the Treaty let the even believed it was not
harsh enough after the
defeated nations off too easily devastation of the First
l Many in France took this view and claimed that when Germany had World War.
imposed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on Russia in 1918, its terms
were far harsher than those in the Treaty of Versailles.
l Marshal Foch of the French army claimed Versailles was merely a
twenty-year ceasefire and did not protect France sufficiently from
future invasion.
l Some members of the British and French public wanted revenge on
Germany for the casualties of the war and thought Germany should have
been completely incapacitated by the Treaty so it could not be a threat
in the future.
3 Why might France have viewed the Treaty as not harsh enough?
4 Make a list of some of the compromises in the Treaty of Versailles. Tip
Ten-mark questions
Task require a balanced and
structured response
Draw a table with two columns. Put the heading ‘Too harsh’ at the top supported by your own
of the first column and the heading ‘Not harsh enough’ at the top of the knowledge. Try to think
second column. Use the information in Chapter 1 to find examples to of a counter-argument
support each heading. Then, write a short conclusion to reach an overall to the one given in the
judgement about whether you think the Treaty could be justified or not. question.
Key terms
Make sure you know these Hyperinflation Process of Rhineland Area of Germany
terms, people or events and money becoming worthless; that bordered France. Under
can use them or describe them most notable instance was in Treaty of Versailles it was
confidently. Germany in 1923. demilitarised – no German
Anschluss Joining of Austria and Idealist/realist An idealist is forces were allowed there.
Germany as one state – motivated by particular beliefs, Right-wing Political groups
forbidden by the Treaty of e.g. commitment to right of or individuals with beliefs in
Versailles 1919 but carried out peoples to rule themselves. national pride, authoritarian
by Hitler in 1938. A realist is a politician who government and opposed to
Big Three Three main leaders accepts a particular course communism.
at the Paris Peace Conference of action even though it Ruhr Main industrial area of
1919 – Lloyd George (Britain), is not what they would Germany.
Wilson (USA), Clemenceau prefer to do.
Saar Region on the border
(France). Kapp Putsch Attempt to between France and Germany.
Conscription Compulsory service overthrow democratically Run by League of Nations
in the armed forces. elected government in Germany from 1920 to 1935 when its
in 1920. people voted to become part of
Demilitarised zone Area of
land where troops cannot be League of Nations Organisation Germany.
stationed, e.g. Rhineland area set up to manage international Secret treaties International
of Germany after the First disputes and prevent wars after agreements between countries
World War. the First World War. Brainchild that are not made public to
of US President Woodrow other nations.
Democracy Political system in
Wilson.
which the population votes for Self-determination The right for
its government in elections held Paris Peace Conference people to choose which nation
on a regular basis. Conference which ran 1919–23 they belong to, often by vote.
to decide how to officially end
Diktat Term used in Germany to Territory An area of land or
the First World War. Resulted
describe the Treaty of Versailles country controlled by another
in Treaty of Versailles with
because Germany had no say in nation.
Germany and three other
the terms of the Treaty. Treaty of Brest-Litovsk Treaty
treaties.
Disarmament Process of between Germany and Russia
Public opinion View of majority
scrapping land, sea or air in 1918 which ended war
or large section of population
weapons. between the two. Germany took
on an issue, most important in
Fourteen Points The statement massive amounts of land and
democracies where politicians
of principles for the peace reparations.
often must win over public
negotiations after the First opinion. Treaty of Versailles Treaty that
World War, made by Woodrow officially ended war between
Reparations Compensation to
Wilson. Allies and Germany in 1919.
be paid by Germany to France,
General strike Large-scale Controversial because of the
Belgium, Britain and other
co-ordinated strike by terms, which Germany claimed
states as a result of the First
workers designed to stop were excessively harsh.
World War.
essential services like power, War guilt Clause in Treaty
transport, etc. of Versailles which forced
Germany to accept blame for
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Leaders did not agree on the role of the League Key point
l British leaders like Lloyd George thought the League should only meet Wilson had envisaged
in emergencies. the League to be a world
parliament that could
l France wanted a strong League with its own army.
stop conflict before it
l Wilson wanted an organisation that would try to solve international started, but without the
issues, like a world parliament. USA it was dominated by
Britain and France. The
The absence of the USA was a serious blow League’s organisation
l Despite Wilson’s plans, many members of the US Congress opposed and structure also meant
it was often slow to act
the League. They did not want the USA to be involved in international
on international disputes.
affairs.
l Republican candidate Warren Harding campaigned for isolationism and a
‘return to normalcy’ and won a landslide victory. The USA never joined Test yourself
the League.
1 Why did the USA
The League was limited by its membership not want to join the
League in 1920?
l The USA, the most powerful and wealthy country in the world, never
2 Was the League too
joined, which severely reduced the League’s ability to deal with idealistic to fulfil its
aggressive nations (see Factfile). own Covenant?
l The Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to join (until 1926).
l The communist Soviet Union was refused membership, for ideological
Factfile
reasons, until 1934.
l Britain and France were the most powerful countries in the League. League of Nations’
Both were severely weakened by the First World War, and both had sanctions
other priorities: for Britain, its empire; for France, the threat of Moral condemnation:
Germany. The Council could use the
l Both Britain and France felt only the USA had enough influence and might of world opinion
to condemn aggressive
resources to head up the League. This would lead both countries to
actions.
bypass the League when it suited them.
Trade sanctions: The
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The League’s structure was democratic, but it had Council could impose
trade boycotts on the
weaknesses aggressor (but the USA
l The League’s Covenant set up three main bodies: the Assembly, the could continue to trade
Council and the Secretariat. with them).
l A Permanent Court of Justice and International Labour Organization Military force: Member
(ILO) were also attached to the League along with various agencies, countries could raise
committees and commissions (see table on page 10). a force against the
aggressor (difficult
l The League was funded by member states and budgets were set by the
without the USA’s
Assembly. military might).
Assembly Council
Practice question, Paper 1
Agencies Tip
Mandates Commissions
Refugees Committee Four-mark questions
Slavery Commission require you to give
Health Committee
accurate and relevant
detail. You do not need
to write long answers
Task or explanations. Save
more of your time for
Use each letter of the word LEAGUE below to write a sentence about the
the questions that carry
League’s organisation and membership. Try to write three strengths and
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higher marks.
three weaknesses. The first has been done for you.
League of Nations’ members each had a vote in the Assembly meaning
Test yourself
it was very representative.
1 Which were the most
E
important bodies
A in the League’s
G organisation?
2 In what ways
U was the League
E a representative
organisation?
10
The Italian occupation of Corfu on 31 August 1923 confronted the League the League have
of Nations with what was recognised as its first major test. Many people in solving border
thought, both then and later, that the League failed this test and that this disputes in the 1920s?
was also a failure for the policy of Great Britain, which had appeared as
2 What failures did
the strongest champion of the League during the crisis.
the League have in
SOURCE B Adapted from E. Wright’s A Dictionary of World History (2.ed), 2006. dealing with border
Following the bombardment by Italy in which 16 people were killed, Mussolini disputes in the 1920s?
issued an ultimatum, demanding a heavy indemnity [compensation]. Greece 3 What were the main
appealed to the League of Nations, which referred the dispute to the Council reasons the League
of Ambassadors. The Council ordered Greece to pay 50 million lire. Under failed in the border
pressure from Britain and France, Italian troops withdrew. The outcome of the disputes in Corfu and
dispute raised serious doubts about the strength and efficiency of the League. Vilna?
12
l The USA saw unemployment rise by over 600 per cent between 1929
and 1932, meaning 30 per cent of the working population were without
jobs and US loans were called back as banks collapsed.
l In Germany, unemployment reached nearly 6 million in 1932, which led
to chaos on the streets and a surge in support for extremist parties like
the Nazis and Communists.
l In Japan, the Depression led to a drop in its main export, silk. Japan
was unable to buy important raw materials and food.
l Britain and France, the League’s two leading powers, were unwilling
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Sept. 1931: Jan. – March March 1932: April 1932: Sept. 1932: Feb. 1933: March 1933:
Mukden 1932: China appealed Lord Lytton Lytton Report Japan ignored Japan vetoed
incident – Japan Japan occupied to the League sent by League condemned the report and the actions of
blamed China for all of Manchuria for help. to investigate. invasion and invaded more the League
a staged attack and renamed it asked Japan to of China. and resigned
on the South Manchukuo. withdraw. its membership.
Manchurian
Railway.
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No USA or USSR: Both countries had the resources Future aggression: Italy and Germany both saw the
to remove Japan, but neither were members of League’s members were not willing to stop powerful
the League. nations when they acted aggressively.
14
The League also failed in its aim to disarm countries Test yourself
l The League’s Covenant was committed to disarmament, but only
1 How similar were
Germany was forced to disarm. the causes of the
l In 1932, the Disarmament Conference was convened in Geneva. Manchurian and
l Germany proposed that all nations disarm to its level. The Conference Abyssinian invasions?
failed to agree. 2 Why did Britain and
l In 1933, Hitler started to rearm Germany in secret. He left the France fail to act
Conference and the League. against Japan?
l France was concerned over its security with Germany and refused to disarm. 3 What were the main
Poland and Czechoslovakia were also concerned as they bordered Germany. reasons for the failure
of the Disarmament
l By 1934, the major countries had failed to reach any agreement and Conference?
many countries began to rearm.
4 Were Britain and France
the main reason why
Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia was the final blow to the the League failed over
League’s reputation the Abyssinian crisis?
Why Abyssinia?
Practice question, Paper 1
1 Historical: In 1896, the Italian army had been defeated by a poorly
equipped Abyssinian army. Mussolini wanted revenge and a military ‘The weak leadership
victory to boost his prestige at home. of France and Britain
was the main reason
2 Economic: Abyssinia had rich mineral deposits and fertile land that the League failed in
could be added to Italy’s empire. Manchuria and Abyssinia.’
3 Geographical: Abyssinia was bordered by two other Italian colonies –
How far do you agree
Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. This would give Mussolini a stronger with this statement?
foothold in East Africa, which was dominated by British colonies. Explain your answer.
[10 marks]
What happened?
Dec. 1934: Jan. – Oct. 1935: Oct. 1935: Nov. – Dec. 1935: Dec. 1935: May 1936:
Mussolini claimed Italy prepared for Italy invaded The League Hoare–Laval Pact Abyssinian capital,
Abyssinia after a invasion while Abyssinia in a condemned the signed but it was Addis Ababa,
border dispute at negotiating with ruthless attack invasion and leaked to the captured.
the Wal-Wal oasis. the League to that included the imposed economic French press and
settle the dispute; use of chemical sanctions, except Britain and France
Mussolini rejected weapons. on oil. were blamed.
the League’s
judgements.
Tip
Remember, ten-mark questions require you to and Britain’; ‘No USA in the League’; ‘The
write a balanced, essay-style response. It is League’s weak structure and organisation’.
worth spending a few minutes planning your Make sure you use relevant examples in your
answer. To plan for this question you could draw paragraphs to explain the different factors
up a table with evidence and explanations for and write a conclusion to make an overall
three factors: ‘The weak leadership of France judgement.
Key terms
Make sure you know these terms, Council Influential body within Moral condemnation Criticism of
people or events and can use the League of Nations which a state for actions against
them or describe them contained the most powerful another state – prelude to
confidently. members of the League. stronger action such as
Abyssinian crisis International Covenant Agreement or set of economic sanctions or military
tensions resulting from invasion rules. force.
of Abyssinia (present-day Depression Period of economic Normalcy Term used by US
Ethiopia) by Italy in 1935. downturn where trade between President Warren Harding in the
Article 10 Article of League of countries and inside countries 1920s to describe the return to
Nations Covenant which declines, often leading to normal life after the First World
promised security to League unemployment. War.
members from attack by other Dictatorship System in which one Secretariat The section of the
states. person runs a country. League of Nations which carried
Assembly Main forum of the out administrative tasks and
Disarmament Process of scrapping
League of Nations for discussing also the agencies of the League.
land, sea or air weapons.
important issues. Tariffs Taxes on imported goods
Isolationism Policy in the USA in
Collective security Key principle which made them more
the 1920s which argued that the
of the League of Nations that expensive – often designed to
USA should not get involved in
all members could expect to be protect makers of home-
international disputes.
secure because the other produced goods
Manchurian crisis International
members of the League would Trade sanctions Restricting sale
crisis sparked off when Japan
defend them from attack. of goods to a nation or sales
invaded the Chinese province
Commissions Organisations set from a nation.
of Manchuria in 1931. Despite
up by the League of Nations investigating, the League of Unanimous Agreed by all.
to tackle economic, social and Nations failed to stop Japanese Wall Street Crash Collapse in
health problems. aggression. value of US companies in
Conference of Ambassadors Mandate Territory assigned to October 1929, which led to
Organisation involving Britain, another nation to run on behalf widespread economic distress.
France, Italy and Japan which of the League of Nations.
met to sort out international
Military force Use of armed force
disputes. Worked alongside
(e.g. troops, bombing by aircraft)
League of Nations.
as opposed to political or
economic methods.
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16
l Hitler’s desire to reunite all German-speaking people, create living few minutes answering
space in the East (Lebensraum) and destroy communism would them and do not waste
mean the terms of the Treaty would be violated. time writing lots of
background information.
Hitler breaks the terms of the Treaty of Versailles
The Saar region of Germany had been run by the Explain why the League
of Nations’ failures
League since 1919, but … encouraged Hitler’s
l In 1935, the League held a plebiscite for people in the Saar region to vote aggressive foreign
on whether they wanted to be run by Germany again. Many opponents of policy. [6 marks]
Hitler were living in the Saar region and he was fearful of a negative result.
l Hitler allowed the plebiscite to take place and over 90 per cent of the
population voted to return to German rule. This was a great propaganda Tip
success for Hitler and another blow to the League.
Remember that for
l Hitler promised to make no further claims to French territory, but it six-mark questions
encouraged him to take further gambles in the future – the Rhineland you need to explain
would be next in 1936. the reasons you give.
Use full paragraphs
and provide relevant
Task knowledge to support
The factors in the first column of the table are reasons why the League your explanations.
failed. Use the second column to explain the impact this would have on
Hitler’s foreign policy. Remember to add examples. The first one has
been done for you. Test yourself
Factor Explanation
1 How far was the
Depression The Depression caused high unemployment in many countries, Depression the cause
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especially Germany where it reached nearly 6 million in 1932. of all the League’s
This led to Hitler promising to rearm Germany and expand its problems in the
borders to help solve the unemployment problem. The League 1930s?
members were too focused on problems in their own countries
2 Do you think
to effectively oppose Hitler.
the Manchurian
Treaty of and Abyssinian
Versailles
crises would have
Disarmament encouraged Hitler?
Manchuria and
3 How was the Saar
Abyssinia
plebiscite a body blow
Saar for the League?
18
3 How far was Hitler’s foreign policy to blame for the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939?
Hitler’s first foreign policy gamble was the Rhineland Test yourself
l The Rhineland had been demilitarised as part of the terms of the Treaty
of Versailles and accepted by Germany as part of the 1925 Locarno 1 Did Hitler’s foreign
Treaties. It was designed to protect France from German invasions. policy aims suggest
war was inevitable?
l Hitler used the alliance between France and Russia in 1935 as an excuse
2 Why do you think
to invade. He said Germany was surrounded by hostile forces.
Hitler’s early foreign
l Germany’s invasion went unimpeded – the League of Nations was busy policy was not as
with the Abyssinian crisis, Britain believed Germany had a right to the aggressive as
Rhineland and France was about to hold an election so politicians did later on?
not want to start a conflict with Germany. 3 How did the success
of the Rhineland
In 1936, Germany tried out its weapons in the Spanish invasion encourage
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l Germany sent pilots and aircraft from the new Luftwaffe (air force) to
take part in bombing raids on civilian populations.
l The bonds between Mussolini and Hitler strengthened and Britain and
France increased the scale and speed of their rearmament.
l At the same time, in 1936, Germany allied itself with Japan to form the
anti-communist Anti-Comintern Pact and then made an alliance with
Italy in 1937 called the Rome–Berlin Axis alliance.
want the
audience to something or encourage
react? What them to support or
does the oppose a particular
Is the photo photographer group, person, policy or
supportive want to action? Always look at the
or critical of persuade or date of the source in the
the event? convince the provenance so you can
What details audience to do use your own knowledge
suggest this? or to think? to support your answer.
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